noun
or borscht or borsht or bortsch or borshch ˈbȯ(ə)rsh(t) sometimes -rshch or -rch
( plural borsches or borschts or borshts or bortsches or borshches )
Etymology: Russian borshch cow parsnip ( Heracleum sphondylium ), borsch; from the soup's being originally made of cow parsnips; akin to Polish barszcz cow parsnip, borsch, Latvian burkšis cow parsnip, Sanskrit bhṛṣṭi spike, point, Old High German burst bristle — more at bristle
: a soup having fermented or fresh red beet juice as the foundation, sour cream or sour milk often being added when the soup is served